No. 5 Georgia bounced back from its first regular-season loss in nearly four years and enjoyed an extra surprise after the game ended.
Trevor Etienne scored two touchdowns, Carson Beck threw two touchdown passes, and the Bulldogs wore down a struggling Auburn team to win 31-13 on a hot Saturday.
About thirty minutes after Georgia (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) achieved its eighth consecutive win in this historic rivalry, No. 1 Alabama—who handed the Bulldogs a tough 41-34 defeat the week before—was unexpectedly beaten by Vanderbilt 40-35.
Cheers erupted throughout Sanford Stadium and the nearby parking lots as Georgia fans celebrated this surprising result in Nashville, which improved their team’s chances in the league race.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart arrived later than usual for his postgame press conference, showing up just after Vanderbilt had secured its remarkable win.
“A lot of other people don’t respect Vandy,” Smart said. “But I respect Vandy, I respect coach (Clark) Lea, I respect his team, I respect his quarterback. Nothing shocks me about our league.”
The Bulldogs started the season ranked No. 1 and were expected to win their third national championship in four years. That goal remains achievable, even though they didn’t impress much against the struggling Tigers (2-4, 0-3).
“Welcome to the SEC,” Smart said. “It’s hard every week. I have a feeling that it’s not gonna stop.”
Auburn has lost six straight games against major opponents, putting pressure on second-year coach Hugh Freeze.
“Obviously, a disappointing season,” Freeze said. “Another step that was not in the direction we hoped.”
With temperatures reaching the mid-80s, Etienne scored on a 2-yard run to finish Georgia’s opening drive.
